Hollywood stars unite to save abused Skid Row dogs

A coalition of Hollywood figures including litigator Marty Singer, Ron Perlman, Kim Basinger, Jennifer Coolidge, Alicia Silverstone and rescuer Joey Tuccio has pressed city officials for action after an animal welfare crisis on Skid Row left four pugs dead and one French bulldog close to death from an apparent overdose.

Rescuers tried to save a litter of pug puppies illegally bred on Skid Row after their mother was struck and killed by a vehicle. The three two-week-old pups needed bottle feeding every two hours; the homeless breeder reportedly refused to surrender them. The situation was reported to LAPD Lieutenant Andrew Mathes and the mayor’s office, but no action came for two weeks.

Two puppies died of starvation and the final pup, later named North Star, died after emergency treatment. In a separate June incident, a French bulldog found outside an encampment was repeatedly losing consciousness.

United States, Los Angeles

hollywood stars, marty singer, ron perlman, kim basinger, jennifer coolidge, alicia silverstone, joey tuccio, skid row, pugs, animal welfare